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I. HERESY IS NOT AN UNSOUND OPINION, BUT AN UNSOUND LIFE. A man may hold an erroneous opinion, and hold it sincerely; but the word used here denotes one who seeks to promote discord in the Church (See Romans 16:17).

II. HERESY IS TO BE DEALT WITH FIRMLY, BUT GENTLY.

1. Firmly — by admonition.

2. Gently — by repeated admonitions.

III. HARDENED HERETICS ARE TO BE REJECTED.

1. But this only applies to exclusion from Church fellowship.

2. It is no warrant for persecution.

3. Excluded heretics are to be deemed objects of pity.

(F. Wagstaff.)

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KJV: A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;

WEB: Avoid a factious man after a first and second warning;